JGMTB thanks fro the reassurance as i was think that maybe buy the LT Stumpy and try to shorten the length on travel to suit the New England area but at the same time i would be able to bring the bike out west or anywhere with no worries on whether the bike can handle it. that was my thinking before now might get a stump st maybe swap out the drivetrain to eagle as the ST doesnt come with it until you get into the carbon.